Billboard - Songs of the Year, 1958-2020

First posted 12/29/2014; updated 12/7/2020.

Billboard: Songs of the Year, 1958-2020

Each year since the inception of the Billboard Hot 100, the magazine has named a “song of the year” determined by chart performance. Here are those songs from 1958 to present. Check out other “songs of the year” lists here. 2020: “Blinding Lights” The Weeknd 2019: “Old Town Road” Lil Nas X with Billy Ray Cyrus 2018: “God’s Plan” Drake 2017: “Shape of You” Ed Sheeran 2016: “Love Yourself” Justin Bieber 2015: “All About That Bass” Meghan Trainor 2014: “Happy” Pharrell Williams 2013: “Thrift Shop” Macklemore & Ryan Lewis with Wanz 2012: “Somebody That I Used to Know” Gotye with Kimbra 2011: “Rolling in the Deep” Adele 2010: “Tik Tok” Ke$ha 2009: “Boom Boom Pow” Black Eyed Peas 2008: “Low” Flo Rida with T-Pain 2007: “Irreplaceable” Beyoncé 2006: “Bad Day” Daniel Powter 2005: “We Belong Together” Mariah Carey 2004: “Yeah!” Usher with Lil’ Jon & Ludacris 2003: “In Da Club” 50 Cent 2002: “How You Remind Me” Nickelback 2001: “Hanging by a Moment” Lifehouse 2000: “Breathe” Faith Hill 1999: “Believe…Cher 1998: “Too Close” Next 1997: “Candle in the Wind 1997 (Goodbye England’s Rose)” Elton John 1996: “Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)” Los Del Rio 1995: “Gangsta’s Paradise” Coolio with L.V. 1994: “The Sign” Ace of Base 1993: “I Will Always Love You” Whitney Houston 1992: “End of the Road” Boyz II Men 1991: “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” Bryan Adams 1990: “Hold On” Wilson Phillips 1989: “Look Away” Chicago 1988: “Faith” George Michael 1987: “Walk Like an Egyptian” Bangles 1986: “That's What Friends Are For” Dionne & Friends 1985: “Careless Whisper” George Michael 1984: “When Doves Cry” Prince 1983: “Every Breath You Take” The Police 1982: “Physical” Olivia Newton-John 1981: “Bette Davis Eyes” Kim Carnes 1980: “Call Me” Blondie 1979: “My Sharona” The Knack 1978: “Shadow Dancing” Andy Gibb 1977: “Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright)” Rod Stewart 1976: “Silly Love Songs” Paul McCartney & Wings 1975: “Love Will Keep Us Together” Captain & Tennille 1974: “The Way We Were” Barbra Streisand 1973: “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree” Tony Orlando & Dawn 1972: “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” Roberta Flack 1971: “Joy to the World” Three Dog Night 1970: “Bridge Over Troubled Water” Simon & Garfunkel 1969: “Sugar Sugar” The Archies 1968: “Hey Jude” The Beatles 1967: “To Sir with Love” Lulu 1966: “The Ballad of the Green Berets” SSgt Barry Sadler 1965: “Wooly Bully” Sam the Sham & the Pharoahs 1964: “I Want to Hold Your Hand” The Beatles 1963: “Sugar Shack” Jimmy Gilmer & the Fireballs 1962: “Stranger on the Shore” Mr. Acker Bilk 1961: “Tossin’ and Turnin’” Bobby Lewis 1960: “Theme from “A Summer Place” Percy Faith 1959: “The Battle of New Orleans” Johnny Horton 1958: “Volare (Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blue)” Domenico Modugno